Maadi Women's Bible Study

7. Book of Daniel in the Days of Covid (ch.6 Creating Your Spiritual Rhythm)

QUESTIONS:

1. Perhaps the greatest compliment that you could receive would be for someone to look at you and say to themselves, “The only way I can explain her is by saying the Spirit of the Living God must live inside her.” Who do you know (or knew) that has developed such a personal connection with God that it seems to shine through in everything they do and say?
2. Do you have elements of a spiritual rhythm in place in your life? How have you seen these practices shape you? 
3. Are your ways of connecting with God (your trellis) more of a gift or duty right now? Explain. If more duty how can you adjust it so it is more of a gift, that you look forward to rather than a burden you must bear?
4. Among our usual prayer requests, let’s pray for God’s leading as we develop a “trellis,” a rhythm of practices such as the Sabbath, exercise, prayer, Bible reading, small group community, etc.

6. Book of Daniel in the Days of Covid (ch. 5- How Will You Respond?)

Notes and Questions

1. We often use a phrase that is taken from this story when we say  “The handwriting was on the wall?” Can you think of an example in your own life where “the handwriting was on the wall” did you/they listen to the handwriting or fail to heed it and learn a lesson the hard way?
2. Is there a gospel element to this story?
3. The Bible clearly speaks of the fact that we will be weighed and judged according to the works we have done. How seriously do you consider this future judgement? 

5. Book of Daniel in the Days of Covid (ch.4 )

Questions & Notes:

1. Vs. 8 King Nebuchadnezzar identifies that there is something unique and spiritual in Daniel (spirit of the holy gods) but resists clearly calling it what it is. Are you in a relationship/contact with anyone who might see you this way?

 

2. Have you ever been in this position to speak a difficult truth to someone in power: a boss, advisor, even a friend? How does Daniel's example help or encourage you?

 

3. Do you consider yourself a proud person? Just answer yes or now and save the discussion for the next question.

 

4. Nebuchadnezzar obviously had a massive pride issue but underlying it were common themes we all struggle with that are forms of pride and arrogance such as self sufficiency, control and not acknowledging or seeing God's involvement. Where/how can you see this in your own life? How might you address it?

 

5. Sometimes we gain fresh insight into God's character and ways as we wrestle with a hard aspect of God's truth. What is the hardest thing about this chapter for you to accept?

 

6. What does that hard lesson teach you about how God works in our lives to bring us to Christlikeness?

4. Book of Daniel in the Days of Covid (ch.3 Fiery Furnace)

                                                    Questions 

1. What would be the equivalent of being called together to worship a 90 foot statue in our world today?
2. Is there a situation in your life you desperately wanted God to intervene before it happened, but He allowed you to go through it anyway? How do you reflect on that today?
3. Discuss this quote of Dr. Iain Provan  “They (SMA) have tested and come to see that God’s way IS good because it IS good, not just because God says it is good. The Bible urges us to live a virtuous life not simply in conformity to commandment, but as a life lived in conformity to reality. Righteousness is being in harmony with the way things actually are.”
4. When we see God do amazing things what is our response? How do we move beyond just the emotions of the moment to real life altering change?

3. Book of Daniel in the Days of Covid (ch.2- Interpretation of Dream)

Questions

1. Share a story of a time when you found yourself in a position and it was clear that you were not in control of how things moved forward.
2. Daniel’s experience into exile was sudden and dramatic. He and his friends were clearly exiles. Do you believe you are currently living and working, in some ways, as an exile? Explain.
3. In the end, Daniel became more than an exile. He lived as a citizen in the Kingdom of God. How do you think he arrived at this understanding of himself, and what do you think helped him live out this calling?

 

 

There is no doubt who is in control of history and that it is heading to one unalterable conclusion - the return of Jesus and the establishment of the Kingdom of Heaven. Take some time together to pray that we would not lose hope or focus on this outcome. Also, pray for wisdom to know when to step forward and speak up and when to live a life that shouts Jesus’s love to those around you.

2. Book of Daniel in the Days of Covid (1&2 Kingdoms in Conflict)

1. Book of Daniel in the Days of Covid (Introduction)

Notes and Questions

 

Time Line

 

 _/_____/______/______/______/______/_______/_____/

 

The Three Levels of Biblical Narratives:

Redemptive Story/Narrative (God redeeming the world)
	Covenant Story/Narrative (God and His people)
		Individual story/Narrative

Chiastic Format

ch. 1 Exile

    ch. 2 Revelation given Daniel

          ch. 3 Delivered from death

                   (ch. 4-5 Proud Kings Humbled)

          ch. 6 Delivered from death

     ch. 7-9 Revelation given Daniel

ch. 10-12 Return of Exiles

 

Questions

1. What is your level of familiarity with the Book of Daniel? How has your previous knowledge of the book impacted your spiritual journey?
2. What theme or big idea stood out to you today?
3. The Bible teaches that we are either conformed by the world around us or we transform the world around us. What can you learn from the life of Daniel even in this first chapter?

Because He Lives So Will I 15:30-58

Questions

1. How do you think resurrection differs from reincarnation?

 

2. Though death is the most certain thing in life, why do you think people avoid talking about it? How have you seen the fear of death enslave people? Have you ever felt enslaved by the fear of death? How can meditations on the resurrection help people who fear death?
3. In what ways does your view of the afterlife shape your present day life?

What Sort of People Ought You Be?

“Our imagination so powerfully magnifies time, by continual reflections upon it, and so diminishes eternity…for want of reflection, that we make nothing of eternity and an eternity of nothing…” 

B. Pascal

Questions ch. 15:13-34

 

1. What are ways you can be intentional about growing your anticipation of Christ’s return and the New Earth?
2. How do you think the verses 33-34 connect to the overall discussion?

The Bodily Resurrection Of Jesus is of First Importance

Questions Ch. 15:1-12

1. If you have not previously shared how you first came to believe the gospel take a few minutes to do so? Was it gradual, or sudden?
2. What is it about these events mentioned in v. 3-8 which make them “the gospel,” rather than other events, such as the virgin birth or the miracles of Christ? 
3. What things in your life would not make sense if there were actually no resurrection?